Benefit Lollibalm and Posibalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balms Review & Swatches

Benefit couldn’t have released their new lip balm at a better time considering that Summer is all about light and fresh makeup! :)

The new line of Benefit Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm consists of 4 shades: Posiebalm (poppy pink), Lollibalm (candy orchid), Benebalm (rose), and Chachabalm (sheer mango). Each one is tinted with sheer pigment to coordinate with their own Lip & Cheek Stain — Posiebalm coordinates with Posietint, Lollibalm with Lollitint, Benebalm with Benetint, and Chachabalm with Chachatint.

I have Posiebalm and Lollibalm to review today. Lollibalm was my first choice since I love purple! :) Posiebalm was my second and the reason I chose it over Benebalm and Chachabalm was because I wanted something a little more “neutral” that I can wear easily on a day-to-day basis.

The packaging of these balms is identical to their respective tint, except they are in a twist-up stick form that you can apply directly to the lips. The surface of the tube is super shiny and has a metallic finish with the color of the tube matching the color of the lip balm inside. It’s always a perfect ten for me when it comes to Benefit packaging! :)

These balms are formulated with mango butter and sodium hyaluronate to condition and moisturize lips during wear, but from my experience, they are not the most moisturizing balm I’ve tried. The hydration level is alright in my book. I do, however, really like the smooth creamy texture that basically just glides on the lips without resistance. It’s such a pleasure and comfort to apply. The formula is non-sticky and scented with a sweet floral fragrance that I find quite pleasant!

Now comes the most talked-about aspect of these balms: pigmentation. On their own, these balms barely have any color payoff. It is not buildable even with layering, but the shine does increase with each layer. If you have naturally pigmented lips like mine, I think you are safe to try just one color because they are all going to look pretty much the same on you. However, if you have pale lips, the difference between colors will be much more obvious and you may be tempted to pick up more than one (oh how I envy you!).

Dark lips or pale lips aside, if you just want to tint them with a sheer wash of soft color, I think these will fit the bill. :)

The longevity is somewhat average. I find that I need to re-apply every couple of hours to replenish the shine and moisture. I don’t mind doing so because the stick form allows for convenience and the light pigmentation is basically foolproof — you can apply it without a mirror!

Layering with Lip & Cheek Stain

Now, if wearing these balms alone doesn’t exactly entice you, try layering them over their respective Lip & Cheek Stain! The outcome is a whole different story! As you will see in the last photo below — when paired with the Lip & Cheek Stain, the color payoff is more than triple compared to when the balm is worn by itself!

The Lip & Cheek Stains really enhance the color intensity of these balms (and vice versa)! And if you are like me, who find the stains to be too drying to use alone on the lips, these balms are your fix! Together, they beautifully create a perfect combo for a high-color impact and extended hours of hydration. :)

If I were to be honest, I do think the price is a little steep for the product. A little more color and a little more hydration would have been nice but where else can you find a packaging this cute, and a matching color for your favorite stain. If pigmentation is your priority, these may not represent the best option for you. But for me, I kind of had a feeling they would be sheer before I purchased them, so the lack of pigmentation didn’t come as a surprise. My intention was to use them in combination with the stain that I already have and since the two play so well together, I am nothing but absolutely happy with my purchase.

So, what do you think of these balms? Do they pique your interest? Share with me your thoughts in the comments! :)

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